AMERICAS - UK-based Simon Foster has been appointed chief of UBM Americas.
Foster, who is currently chief executive of UBM EMEA, will takeover from outgoing chief executive Sally Shankland on 29 June.
With more than 25 years of experience in the exhibition industry, Foster has previously led the organisation’s Brazil, Canon Connect and Mexico business units, which are now part of UBM Americas.
UBM chief executive Tim Cobbold said Foster was “well placed” to lead the division.
“He [Foster] has extensive experience in managing integrations and has deep knowledge of our products, key customers and people in the region, having previously had responsibility for many of these business units,” Cobbold said.
Officials said Foster would oversee the group during the integration of its Advanstar business in 2015-16, before returning to head up UBM EMEA. An acting chief executive of UBM EMEA is expected to be appointed in-house shortly, according to a written statement.
Advanstar is the group’s US-based event and marketing services business serving the fashion, licensing, automotive and powersports industries.
Simon Foster commented: “The UBM Americas senior management team is extremely strong and I look forward to working with them as we continue to implement the ‘Events First’ strategy and successfully integrate UBM Advanstar.”
Outgoing UBM Americas chief executive Sally Shankland resigned last month and will join publisher McGraw-Hill Education in November.
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